Steve Borthwick, the head coach of England Rugby, is shaking up conventional tactical thinking ahead of the 2025 Autumn Tests. In a bold move, Borthwick is contemplating shifting his back-row forward, Henry Pollock, to the wing, as well as considering the versatile Ben Earl in a centre position. These decisions reflect a desire to maximize England’s attacking potential and adaptability.
Borthwick is intent on getting his side off to a strong start when they face Australia, aiming for a fast and aggressive playing style. “We want to play with the ball in hand, fast and aggressive,” said Borthwick, highlighting the team’s strengths in pace rather than size. This mindset aligns with his push for dynamic, hybrid players who can switch between positions seamlessly during games.
Pollock, who has emerged as a rising star in the back row, has the pace of a winger, according to Borthwick. The England head coach sees this flexibility as vital to building a well-rounded squad capable of adapting to different scenarios on the field. Pollock, along with fellow hybrid players like Guy Pepper and Ben Earl, offers England a tactical depth that could be pivotal during the Tests.
The team to face Australia has already undergone significant changes. Tommy Freeman starts in midfield, while Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence have been left out of the matchday 23. Six British & Irish Lions players, including Pollock, are set to make appearances from the bench, with Pepper, Joe Heyes, and Tom Roebuck named as starters.
Borthwick is also looking for ways to avoid the fatigue issues that plagued England during previous matches. He acknowledged that the team must maintain their physical intensity throughout the match, particularly in the final stages, an area where England faltered in their previous loss to Australia.
As the England squad looks forward to these high-stakes fixtures, Borthwick believes the seeds of progress planted in previous campaigns will bear fruit. “Sometimes, coaching is like gardening—you plant the seeds, take care of them, and wait for them to grow,” he remarked, suggesting that his team’s development may take time but will eventually pay off.
With the match against Australia just around the corner, England fans can expect a fast-paced, tactical approach as Borthwick aims to get the best out of his dynamic squad.
